TL;DR: Bellini Yachts has unveiled a striking new production model drawn directly from a one-of-a-kind 38-foot cruiser built for Italian racing driver Francesco Castellacci. The design translates bespoke racing sensibility into a vessel that serious boating enthusiasts across Asia can now actually order.

Bellini Yachts – New Model Inspired by the Castellacci 38

📍 Bellini Yachts Showroom, Marina Bay, Singapore, Singapore 018956

🗓 Opened: July 2025

🌐 Website | 🗺 Google Maps

When a Racing Driver's Private Yacht Becomes a Blueprint for the Rest of Us

There are very few moments in luxury boating when a bespoke commission actually reshapes a brand's entire production direction — but that is precisely what happened when Italian racing driver Francesco Castellacci approached Bellini Yachts with a vision for a 38-foot cruiser unlike anything the marque had built before. Castellacci, known for his competitive instincts both on track and on water, wanted a vessel that fused the aggressive stance of a performance racer with the refined livability of a weekend cruiser. The result was a one-off that turned so many heads at private marinas from the Côte d'Azur to Singapore's Sentosa Cove that Bellini decided to bring the spirit of that commission to a wider audience. Now, in mid-2025, the Italian yard is making that new production model officially available to buyers across the Asia-Pacific region.

The timing is deliberate. Southeast Asia's superyacht and mid-range performance boat market has been expanding at a pace that surprises even veteran brokers, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Phuket all registering record inquiries for sub-50-foot performance cruisers in the past eighteen months. Bellini sees this new model as a direct answer to a buyer profile that has been underserved: the owner who wants racing DNA without sacrificing air-conditioned saloons, proper galley space, or the kind of fit-and-finish that holds up under tropical sun and salt.

What Makes the Castellacci-Inspired Design So Different?

The original Castellacci 38 was built around a deep-V hull derived from offshore racing geometry, giving it a sharp, confident entry into chop that most cruiser-racer hybrids simply cannot replicate. Bellini's naval architects preserved that hull form almost entirely for the new production version, making only minor adjustments to accommodate a broader range of engine configurations, including twin inboard diesel options and a hybrid-electric drivetrain that will appeal to marina operators in Singapore and Bali who are tightening emissions standards at berth. The silhouette is unmistakably Italian — low slung, with a raked windscreen and a hardtop that flows into the aft deck without the boxy interruptions common to production boats in this size class.

Interior choices reflect Castellacci's personal brief: he wanted the cockpit to feel like a driver's seat, not a sun lounger. The helm station is elevated and wrapped in carbon-fibre trim, with analogue-style digital gauges that nod to motorsport dashboards. Belowdecks, the master cabin uses a full-beam layout with hand-stitched leather headlining in a palette Bellini describes as "racing ivory" — a warm off-white that references classic Italian GT interiors. The galley is compact but genuinely functional, with an induction cooktop and a refrigeration unit sized for extended weekend passages rather than just day trips.

Key Specifications and Pricing

• LOA: 38 feet (11.6 metres)
• Hull type: Deep-V offshore racing geometry
• Engine options: Twin Volvo Penta IPS diesel or hybrid-electric configuration
• Top speed: Approximately 42 knots (diesel spec)
• Berths: Two cabins, sleeping four adults comfortably
• Starting price (Asia-Pacific): From approximately USD $420,000 ex-factory, subject to configuration
• Delivery lead time: 9–12 months from confirmed order

Those figures position the new Bellini squarely against rivals like the Sessa Marine C38 and the Azimut Verve 40, both of which have found enthusiastic buyers in Singapore and Thailand. Where Bellini differentiates itself is in the provenance story: no competing production boat in this segment can claim its hull lines trace directly back to a commission by a named racing driver. For a buyer demographic that cares deeply about narrative and exclusivity, that distinction carries real commercial weight.

Why Asia-Pacific Buyers Should Pay Attention Now

Bellini has appointed a regional distribution partner based in Singapore's ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, giving prospective buyers a physical point of contact for sea trials and configuration consultations for the first time. Previously, Asian clients had to fly to Viareggio or attend European boat shows to engage seriously with the brand — a friction point that suppressed sales despite genuine interest. The Singapore hub changes that calculus entirely, and the team there has already confirmed a waiting list of seven confirmed orders from buyers in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Phuket ahead of the official regional launch event scheduled for late July 2025.

The regional debut will include a live sea trial in Singapore's southern waters, where guests can experience the deep-V hull's behaviour in the kind of short, steep chop that characterises local conditions — a far more demanding test than the flat-water demos common at European boat shows. Bellini's CEO has stated publicly that the Asia-Pacific market is now the brand's single largest growth priority through 2027, and the Castellacci-inspired model is the centrepiece of that ambition.

The Verdict

If you have been waiting for a performance cruiser that genuinely earns its racing credentials rather than simply wearing them as a marketing badge, the new Bellini deserves a serious look. The Castellacci commission was the real thing — a driver who knows what speed feels like demanding a boat that delivers it — and the production version preserves enough of that original intent to make it stand apart in a crowded segment. Book a sea trial at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove before the waiting list stretches beyond 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Francesco Castellacci and why does his involvement matter?

Francesco Castellacci is an Italian racing driver with a background in GT and endurance racing who commissioned a bespoke 38-foot cruiser from Bellini Yachts. His specific performance brief — prioritising hull dynamics, cockpit ergonomics, and motorsport-inspired interiors — directly shaped the design language that Bellini has now translated into a production model available to buyers worldwide.

Where can buyers in Asia test or purchase the new Bellini model?

Bellini's newly appointed Asia-Pacific distribution partner is based at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove in Singapore. Prospective buyers can arrange configuration consultations and sea trials through that office, which officially began operations in July 2025.

What engine options are available for the Asia-Pacific market?

The boat is offered with twin Volvo Penta IPS diesel engines as the standard performance configuration, achieving approximately 42 knots top speed. A hybrid-electric drivetrain option is also available, designed specifically to meet the low-emission berthing requirements increasingly enforced at marinas in Singapore, Bali, and other regional destinations.

How does the new Bellini compare to rivals like the Azimut Verve 40 or Sessa Marine C38?

All three boats compete in the sub-40-foot performance cruiser segment at broadly similar price points. Bellini's primary differentiator is its deep-V offshore racing hull geometry and the direct lineage from Castellacci's commission, which gives it a measurably sharper performance profile in choppy conditions. The Azimut and Sessa offerings prioritise comfort and brand recognition, while Bellini leans harder into driving dynamics and bespoke Italian craftsmanship.

What is the delivery lead time for buyers ordering now?

Bellini currently quotes a 9-to-12-month delivery window from confirmed order, depending on the chosen configuration. Given the existing waiting list of seven confirmed Asia-Pacific orders ahead of the official regional launch, buyers interested in 2026 delivery are advised to engage the Singapore office before the end of Q3 2025.